AI in Law: Why AI Literacy Matters More Than AI Expertise for Lawyers
- rob85331
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
AI is no longer a future consideration for the legal profession, it is already influencing how legal work is researched, drafted, reviewed, and managed. From document analysis tools that can review hundreds of contracts in minutes to AI-powered research platforms that surface relevant case law, the technology is reshaping daily legal workflows.
Yet despite the growing conversation around AI in law, many legal professionals feel genuinely unsure about how AI fits into their role. This uncertainty creates a paradox: the tools are available, the potential benefits are clear, but the path forward remains unclear for many practitioners.
This uncertainty is not about resistance. In fact, our research showed the opposite. Legal professionals are curious, engaged, and increasingly aware that AI will play a role in their professional future. What's missing isn't willingness, it's clarity, guidance, and a trusted framework for engagement. That't why we developed an AI Course to help get your started.
AI Literacy vs AI Expertise
When lawyers think about AI, many assume it requires technical expertise, coding skills, or deep system knowledge. This misconception creates an unnecessary barrier to entry. The reality is that what most legal professionals need is AI literacy, not AI mastery. There's an important distinction here. AI expertise means understanding the technical architecture, algorithms, and data science behind AI systems. AI literacy, by contrast, means understanding how to work with AI responsibly and effectively within your professional context.
AI literacy means:
Understanding what AI can and cannot do: recognising that AI excels at pattern recognition, data processing, and structured tasks, but lacks judgment, contextual understanding, and ethical reasoning.
Knowing where AI can support legal work safely: identifying appropriate use cases such as initial research, document review, or drafting assistance, while understanding where human oversight is essential.
Being aware of ethical, confidentiality, and professional obligations: understanding how AI use intersects with solicitor-client privilege, data protection regulations, and professional conduct rules.
Using AI as an assistive tool, not a decision-maker: maintaining professional judgment while leveraging AI for efficiency and insight.
Think of it like legal research databases. When Westlaw and LexisNexis first emerged, lawyers didn't need to understand database architecture or search algorithms. They needed to understand how to use these tools effectively within their professional practice. AI literacy works the same way.
What Legal Professionals Told Us
In conversations with solicitors, barristers, and in-house counsel across Ireland, a consistent message emerged that shaped our entire approach to AI education.
"I want to use AI, but I don't know where to start."
This sentiment appeared repeatedly in different forms. Legal professionals expressed:
Curiosity without direction: "I know AI is important, but I don't know which tools are relevant to my practice area."
Concern about risk: "What if I inadvertently breach confidentiality or violate professional standards?"
Fear of looking uninformed: "I don't want to ask basic questions that make me appear behind the curve."
Pressure without support: "Clients are asking if we use AI, but our firm hasn't provided any guidance."
Legal professionals were interested, curious and open, but lacked a clear, trusted entry point. Many were concerned about risk, misuse, or breaching professional standards. Some had experimented quietly with consumer AI tools like ChatGPT, but felt uncertain about whether this was appropriate or how to apply it professionally. Importantly, almost no one expressed resistance to AI itself. The barrier wasn't philosophical, it was practical and professional.
Why We Created This AI Law Course
Heron created this AI law course to address that exact gap. We recognised that legal professionals needed something different from generic AI training or highly technical courses designed for developers. Rather than offering a technical or generic AI programme, we built a course for lawyers, focused on:
Clear explanations of AI in plain language: avoiding jargon and technical complexity while still providing substantive understanding.
Practical use cases for legal work: showing how AI applies specifically to research, drafting, contract review, due diligence, and client communication.
Ethical and professional considerations: addressing the Law Society's guidance, GDPR implications, and professional responsibility.
Building confidence, not complexity: creating a learning path that empowers rather than overwhelms.
The course was designed to answer the questions legal professionals were actually asking: Can I use this? How do I use it safely? What are the boundaries? How do I explain this to clients or colleagues?
How AI Literacy Creates Efficiencies in Your Practice
AI literacy isn't just about compliance - it's about working smarter. When solicitors know how to use AI safely, they free up time on routine tasks and redirect it toward high-value work that actually grows the business.
In practical terms, AI-literate solicitors can:
Speed up routine work: drafting, research, document review - without compromising quality, freeing up time for client development and strategic work.
Make informed decisions: about which AI tools are appropriate for which tasks (and which aren't).
Win more work: by confidently discussing AI capabilities with clients who are already using it in their own businesses.
Supervise effectively: when junior staff use AI tools in their research or drafting.
Lead internally: on firm-level discussions about AI adoption and policy.
Spot efficiency opportunities: where AI could genuinely improve client service or reduce internal admin burden.
Know the limits - recognise when human expertise is non-negotiable and AI would be inappropriate.
Want to Learn more about AI Literacy for Legal Professionals?
If you're looking for an AI law course that focuses on understanding, responsibility, and real world relevance, the Heron AI Course for Legal Professionals is designed to support you at every step. You will also receive 2 hours CPD accreditation (self-certified) when you complete the course.
The course provides the foundation you need to engage confidently with AI, make informed decisions about its use, and maintain the highest professional standards while benefiting from these emerging tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do legal professionals need technical or coding knowledge to use AI?
No. Legal professionals do not need technical or coding expertise to use AI effectively. The key requirement is AI literacy, understanding what AI can and cannot do, where it can support legal work, and how to use it responsibly within professional and ethical boundaries. The Heron AI course is designed specifically for legal professionals with no technical background.
2. Is AI use safe for legal professionals given confidentiality and ethical obligations?
AI can be used safely by legal professionals, but only when its limitations and risks are properly understood. Issues such as confidentiality, data handling, accuracy, and professional responsibility are critical. This is why structured education matters. The Heron AI course addresses these risks directly and focuses on ethical, compliant use aligned with legal professional standards.
3. What types of legal work can AI realistically support today?
AI can assist with tasks such as legal research support, drafting assistance, document review, summarisation, and knowledge management. It is not a replacement for legal judgment or decision-making. Understanding where AI adds value and where it should not be used, is a core focus of AI literacy for lawyers.
4. Why is AI literacy more important than AI expertise for legal professionals?
Legal professionals are responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and ethical standards of their work. AI literacy allows legal professionals to make informed decisions about when and how to use AI, without needing to understand the technical mechanics behind it. This approach supports professional competence while avoiding unnecessary complexity or risk.
5. How does the Heron AI course support CPD requirements in Ireland?
The Heron AI course is structured, educational, and directly relevant to professional legal practice. It includes defined learning outcomes, clear modules, and a certificate of completion for 2 hours. Participants may self-declare CPD hours in line with Law Society of Ireland and Bar of Ireland CPD requirements.
6. Who is this AI law course designed for?
This course is designed for solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, and legal professionals at all stages of their careers who want a clear, responsible starting point for understanding AI. No prior experience with AI tools is required, just an interest in developing AI literacy as part of modern legal practice.
